Subaru Impreza v Mazda3 v Toyota Corolla v Holden Astra comparison

On one side we have the two most popular small cars in the country - the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. Combined sales in 2016 - 76,437.

And on the other side two all-new small cars that are nowhere near as popular - the Subaru Impreza and Holden Astra. Combined sales in 2016 - 5179.

Both Subaru and Holden have high hopes for these new small cars, aiming to take a bigger slice of the small car market which still remains the largest segment of the new car market despite the boom in SUV sales.

Having already been impressed by the Impreza and Astra, we believe they deserve to be on any small car short list. But this is the first chance we've had to put all four to the test back-to-back.

Noticeably absent is our reigning Drive Car of the Year Best Small Car champion, the Ford Focus Trend. That's because the winner of this contest will go up against the Focus in our next small car comparison when the updated Volkswagen Golf arrives in the middle of the year.

But for now we need to find out if one of our two underdogs can defeat the most popular.

Toyota Corolla SX

Photo: Mark Bean

We'll start with Australia's favourite passenger car from 2016 (beaten only by its stablemate, the HiLux ute, in the sales race).

We're testing the SX model, which sits just below the top-of-the-range ZR in the line-up, and is priced from $26,000 (plus on-road costs).

For that you get a reasonably well-equipped small car. Included are 17-inch alloy wheels, navigation with live traffic updates, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo and a reversing camera.

The Corolla is the only one of this quartet to miss out on the latest active safety features as standard. Instead, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning are only available as part of a $750 option package. Which given the price sensitivity in this segment moves the Corolla from the cheapest model to the second most expensive.

Power comes from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 103kW and 173Nm and is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). That means it is the least powerful of this group, which it feels like on the road.

It isn't slow but the Corolla needs to be pushed hard to get the best from it. The CVT doesn't help the driving experience because it tends to flare under acceleration which makes for a laboured driving experience compared to its rivals, but ultimately it gets the job done.

That is the same thing you can say about the Corolla dynamically. It doesn't set any benchmarks but it doesn't do anything wrong either. The steering is light for around town navigation and easy parking but it lacks the feeling and feedback that its rivals can offer. The ride is also a step below its rivals and the suspension has a tendency to crash over sharp edged bumps and fidget over small, repeated blemishes in the road.

Inside, the Corolla presents well but once again falls short of the heights achieved by its rivals in this contest.

On the plus side it offers decent space for both front and rear passengers but the seats are firm and the orange pattern on the trim will date quickly.

Small item storage is good but the overall design of the cabin looks busy and some of the materials look and feel a bit cheap.

Toyota Corolla SX price and specifications

Price: From $26,000 plus on-road costs

Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 103kW at 6400rpm

Torque: 173Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: CVT, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 6.1L/100km

Mazda3 Touring

Photo: Mark Bean

The 3 has been the Corolla's closest rival for several years now and it's easy to see why. The Japanese brand gave this second-generation 3 an update in 2016 but it was a very minor one, because there isn't much to fix.

Our test car is the mid-specification Touring model which is priced from $27,290 (plus on-roads), which makes it the most expensive of this group - $800 more than the Subaru.

However, there are a couple of items missing you might otherwise expect in a modern small car. Mazda has ditched the CD player to make room for more USB ports and a small ledge at the bottom of the centre console. But despite this technology savvy move, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still not available on the 3.

Mazda has, however, kept pace with safety and added its previously optional Safety Package as standard with this mid-life upgrade, so autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are all included.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine remains unchanged, still producing 114kW and 200Nm and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

It may lack in outright performance but it does an adequate job of motivating the 3. The decision to stick with a conventional automatic transmission has paid off for Mazda with the 3 feeling more willing and quicker than its rivals equipped with CVTs.

It hasn't hurt fuel economy either with the 3 returning the lowest claimed return of just 5.8-litres per 100km.

On the road the 3 continues to be one of the most enjoyable small cars to drive. While having no intentions as a hot hatch the 3 naturally feels sporty and dynamic, perfectly fitting Mazda's 'Zoom-Zoom' image.

The steering is nicely weighted and direct while providing good feedback to the driver. The ride is on the firm side but offers a good balance between responsiveness and compliance, so it doesn't crash over bumps.

One of the new additions to the updated 3 is Mazda's newly developed G Vectoring Control, which is effectively an advanced form of stability control that helps improve cornering when you are using any percentage of throttle. It's a subtle improvement but it is a step ahead.

Disappointingly the update hasn't cured Mazda's traditional weakness - in-cabin noise. Despite claims that the situation has been improved the new 3 doesn't feel significantly quieter inside than the previous model. It is still susceptible to road and engine noise invading the cabin.

The interior itself is largely unchanged, although the Touring model gets a new steering wheel and an electric park brake.

While the interior is functional the layout and design is fairly basic and looks plain against the more stylish and modern cabins of the Subaru and Holden.

The leather seats (the only ones in this test) look and feel good quality and are comfortable and supportive.

The rear seats are less appealing as space in the back is extremely tight with little in the way of knee and head room.

Mazda3 Touring price and specifications

Price: From $27,290 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 114kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 5.8L/100km

Subaru Impreza 2.0i-Premium

Photo: Mark Bean

The Impreza has been trying to grow up for a long-time and this latest generation has finally succeeded. This is no longer just the plain Jane version of a WRX but instead a refined small car that has the Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf squarely in its sights.

It is built on all-new underpinnings, known as Subaru Global Platform, that will form the basis for the next generation of all models from the Japanese brand.

It is lighter, stiffer, wider and has a longer wheelbase than the previous generation model, which all contribute to its refined on-road manners.

Subaru has also worked hard on the value equation as well. We're testing the 2.0i-Premium model which is priced from $26,490 (plus on-roads) and comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone air-con, an 8-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, cloth trimmed seats, leather accented trim on the steering wheel and gear shift and a sunroof (the only member of our group to get one).

Subaru's EyeSight is also included in the price and brings forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, pre-collision steering assistance and adaptive cruise control. But it does miss out on the blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, which are offered by the Mazda.

The Japanese brand claims the engine is all-new as well, but retains the same specification as the out-going model - 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer format. It produces 115kW and 196Nm which puts it on par with the Mazda, but the Impreza uses a CVT instead of a conventional automatic transmission.

That is where the Impreza lacks the same responsiveness off the mark as the Mazda. On the move, our test car shuddered when you put the foot down - it's certainly not as smooth as the Corolla's similar transmission. And the engine isn't as engaging, or as responsive, as any of its rivals here.

Where the Impreza shines is its character on the road. The newly developed underpinnings feel solid and stable from the driver's seat. Despite not being a sporty hatch it does have impressive dynamics, with fluid, well-weighted steering and a comfortable ride.

It is also very quiet and refined inside, more so than any of its rivals here and among the very best in the small car class. It adds an air of quality to the cabin that is increased by the new, more sophisticated design and its quality mix of materials.

There's a thoughtfulness to the design of the cabin too with both a CD player and four USB ports (two for media playback and two just for charging hidden inside the centre console box) and good small item storage. The infotainment touchscreen is high-resolution (which provides a large, clear reversing camera image) and easy to navigate.

Space is good too with decent room up front and more-than-adequate room for adults in the back which makes it a very practical small car.

Subaru Impreza 2.0i-P price and specifications

Price: From $26,490 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 115kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 196Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission: CVT, all-wheel drive

Fuel use: 7.2L/100km

Holden Astra RS

Photo: Mark Bean

Holden has gone back to the past for its small car future, ditching the locally-made, Korean-engineered Cruze in favour of the European designed and built Astra.

The change is obvious as soon as you look at the new Astra. It is sleeker and more stylish than the Cruze and suits Holden's new aim to move away from its image as the 'Commodore car company' and towards a broader range of vehicles to appeal to a wider customer base.

Despite winning critical acclaim the Astra has had a difficult start in Australia. The more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine (there's also a 1.4-litre turbo in the R model) is only available with a manual transmission until next month, a factor that has undoubtedly hindered sales and led Holden to cut prices across the range, including the manual RS model we're testing here.

It is priced from $26,240 ($250 cheaper than before) while the automatic RS will cost $27,240 when it goes on sale. It comes equipped with 17-inch alloys, keyless entry and ignition, cloth trim, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio, saty nav and a reversing camera.

It is the only one of this group to offer automated parking assist and also gets autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assist as standard.

It also comes equipped with the most powerful engine in this group, a 1.6-litre turbo packing 147kW and 280Nm. It certainly feels much stronger on the road than any of its rivals with excellent pulling power from low down in the rev range and feels strong to the redline.

It is helped by the slick six-speed manual that allows you to make the most of the flexible engine. However, given the vast majority of small car buyers opted for autos, the Astra is at a significant disadvantage until its self-shifter comes on-stream.

Behind the wheel, the Astra impresses too with its well sorted chassis and suspension. Even though Holden's local engineering team had little input into the final set-up, It feels well suited to Australian roads with good compliance in the suspension and responsive and agile handling.

The interior isn't quite as convincing. While it is by far the most spacious in the back seat (both in terms of knee and head room) and the design is more premium than the Cruze, it does fall short in some crucial areas.

For starters, the materials a feel a bit cheaper in places. Small item storage is light on and includes some strange features, like the narrow slot just ahead of the gear knob which is too small to fit anything but a conventional sized smartphone, which can fall out during cornering.

Like the Toyota the cloth trim features a pattern that will quickly date and detracts slightly from the otherwise nice presentation.

Holden Astra RS price and specifications

Price: From $26,240 plus on-road costs

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 147kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1650-3500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 6.5L/100km

Verdict

Photo: Mark Bean

Picking a winner in this contest isn't easy because all four are excellent examples of small cars.

However, it's easiest to dismiss the Toyota first. While it's not hard to comprehend why the Corolla is popular - it is inoffensive to drive and has good value, strong ownership credentials and Toyota's rock-solid reliability reputation - it isn't the most modern, spacious, best driving hatch in this quartet.

The remaining three, on the other hand, are covered in a photo finish for the podium positions. The Astra offers plenty of bang for the buck with the most powerful engine, great handling, a spacious back seat and a decent level of equipment. But the lack of an automatic (in the short term at least) is a bit of a setback.

The Mazda3 remains a great all-rounder with excellent driving dynamics, a smooth and fuss-free powertrain and the most comprehensive suite of safety features. But if you needed to carry more than two passengers often, it's rear space is compromised. And Mazda has yet to resolve its on-road noise issues.

Which leaves the Subaru. It also isn't perfect, as the CVT isn't very good and the engine is the thirstiest of this bunch, but it offers a more premium and spacious cabin than the others and is refined in the way it drives.